AAP govt not to table Jan Lokpal Bill today

New Delhi, Feb 13: The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government in Delhi on Thursday decided not to table the Jan Lokpal Bill in the state assembly. Reports said that the AAP-led government would circulate copies of the bill to all lawmakers before tabling it in the assembly.

Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal is desperate to get his pet bill passed and even threatened to go to any extreme for the cause of the bill. On Wednesday, the Law Ministry said that the Delhi government requires prior consent from the Centre before tabling the bill.

Lieutenant Governor of Delhi Najeeb Jung had sought the law ministry's advice on the matter. Frustrated with the legal hurdle, Kejriwal said he would quit as the chief minister of Delhi if the Jan Lokpal Bill is not passed.

Kejriwal said he would go to any extreme for the Jan Lokpal Bill

The Delhi chief minister has also decided to hold the final day of the assembly session on February 16 in the open. It had decided to hold the session in Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium but it wasn't available. Lt Governor Jung expressed reservation over the idea on grounds of security concerns. Kejriwal's cabinet, however, stuck to its stand saying such a crucial legislation needs to be taken close to the people and democracy should not be kept confined within four walls.